FDBusiness.com

Dutch and the international dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina has entered into a collaboration agreement with energy supplier Essent for the production and supply of green energy by FrieslandCampina’s member dairy farmers in the Netherlands.

Via FrieslandCampina, dairy farmers can receive support from Essent to set up local initiatives for the production of green energy. FrieslandCampina will buy what are referred to as green certificates from its own dairy farmers. This initiative will allow the dairy farmers, Essent and FrieslandCampina to take an important step towards renewable energy and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the dairy chain. Dozens of dairy farmers have already expressed an interest in the production and supply of solar, wind or biomass (manure fermentation) energy.

Essent specialists will support the dairy farmers with solar energy, wind energy and biogas production projects. If a project is realised, the dairy farmers can supply the energy to the grid via Essent. The dairy farmers are paid the energy price (per kWh or cu m), plus an amount for green certificates (guarantees of origin). Under the rules, dairy farmers receive these green certificates because they produce green energy. Based on its long-term renewable energy planning, FrieslandCampina guarantees the purchase of green certificates from its own members at a competitive price. FrieslandCampina uses the green certificates to achieve more sustainable energy consumption at its own production companies.

The collaboration follows on from an earlier contract under which Essent supplies energy to FrieslandCampina. That contract stipulates that FrieslandCampina will, in turn, give energy back to Essent from a combined heat and power station.